Hermetically sealed electrical apparatus



Jan. 10, 1956 c. E. SMILEY 2,730,686

HERMETICALLY SEALED ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1952 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Char/es E. Smi/ey Agent Jan. 10, 1956 c. E. SMILEY 2,730,685

HERMETICALLY SEALED ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1952 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

BY Cha /e8 Smiley United States Patent HERIVIETICALLY SEALED ELECTRICALAPPARATUS Charles E. Smiley, Livingston, N. J.

Application April 18, 1952, Serial No. 283,148

3 Claims. (Cl. 339-89) This invention relates to hermetically sealedelectrical apparatus and devices for excluding moisture and the like,and particularly to such devices which employ plug-in replaceablecomponents.

In certain electrical systems, such as airborne electronic equipment forexample, it is desirable to hermetically sea] as many of the electricalcomponents as possible in order to obtain protection against moistureand changes in atmospheric pressure. It also is desirable that certaincomponents, such as electronic tubes and other components requiringreplacement, be readily replaceable, and yet be rigidly secured in theiroperating positions.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anelectrical apparatus wherein all components are hermetically sealed.

Another object is to provide a hermetically sealed receptacle forplug-in electrical components.

A further object is to provide a receptacle for rigidly holding andsecuring replaceable electrical devices.

Still further objects will be apparent from the following specificationand from the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational exterior view of a preferred embodimentof the invention,

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 andshowing internal construction of the preferred embodiment.

, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of an individual pingrippingreceptacle used in the preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a tightener tool positioned intemporary operating cooperation with the preferred embodiment of theinvention, and

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Referring to the several figures of the drawing, a housing 11,preferably of metal, encloses electrical components and connectingwires. A hermetically sealed receptacle 12 comprises a supporting baseplate 13 which is hermetically attached to the housing 11 by means ofsolder 14 or the like. An electronic tube 16 or other plug-in device, issecured in place by the receptacle 12.

Now referring particularly to Figure 3, and to Figures 4, 5, and 6, thereceptacle 12 comprises an annular threaded member 21 securely attachedto or integral with the base plate 13. Terminal pins 22 are positionedto extend through appropriate openings in the base plate 13 and arehermetically secured and sealed thereto by means of insulative bushings23 preferably of glass or ceramic material. Preferably, the bushings 23do not extend above the top plane of the plate 13. The terminal pins 22are preferably arranged in a circular manner and are respecice tivelyaligned with connector pins of the plug-in device 16 as will hereinafterbe described.

Pin receptacles 24 are respectively attached electrically andmechanically to the terminal pins 22, preferably in axial alignmenttherewith. A support disc 25 of insulative material is positionedbetween the base plate 13 and the pin receptacles 24, and containsopenings 26 through which the terminal pins 22 extend. The openings 26are smaller in diameter than the pin receptacles 24, the'lower ends ofwhich form shoulders which rest upon and are mechanically supported bythe support disc 25, thereby reducing pressure or strain on the bushings23, as will here after he described in greater detail. The support disc25 also functions as a positioning gage for the pin receptacles 24during manufacturing of the receptacle 12.

Each pin receptacle 24 comprises an opening 27 adapted to receiveconnector pins 28 which extend from the plug-in device 16, and aplurality of slits 31 extending radially outwardly from the opening 27and extending partially along the length of the pin receptacle from thetop end thereof. The slits 31 provide jaws 32 which are adapted toengage the connector pins 28. An annular groove 33 may be provided oneach pin receptacle 24 near the bottom ends of the slits 31 in order togive resiliency to the jaws 32. An annular bevel 34 is provided at thetop end of each pin receptacle 24. Figures 5 and 6 clearly show detailsof the pin receptacles 24.

A compression disc or plate 36 is positioned over the top portions ofthe pin receptacles 24, and comprises a plurality of aligned openings 37into which the top portions of the pin receptacles 24 project, theopenings 37 being counter bored and beveled to conform to the beveledtop ends 34 of the pin receptacles 24. Each connector pin 28 extendsthrough an opening 37 when the plug-in device 16 is in place. Theplug-in device 16 shown in the drawing has a base 38 known in the art asan octal base, and comprises a central aligning plug 39 extendingtherefrom. The connector pins 28 also extend from the base 38. A centralopening 40 is provided in the compression disc 36 to receive thealigning plug 39.

A threaded tightening ring 41 is positioned on the annular threadedmember 21, in threaded engagement therewith, and comprises a collar 42which extends over and against part of the top portion of thecompression disc 36. A shoulder 43 may be provided at the top outer edgeof the compression disc 36 for engagement with the collar 42, so thatthe top surface of the tightening ring 41 will be substantially flushwith the top surface of the compression disc 36. Notches 46 may beprovided in the periphery of the tightening'ring 41 at the top portionthereof, for engagement with a tightener tool as will be describedhereinafter. The outer surface of the tightening ring 41 may be knurled,if desired, to facilitate manual gripping and tuming thereof.

Electrical components 51 may be positioned within the housing 11 andconnected by means of wires 52 to each other and to the terminal pins22. One or more external terminal pins 53 are positioned to extendthrough suitable openings in the housing 11 and are hermetically'andinsulatively secured thereto by means of bushings 54 preferably of glassor ceramic material. The external terminal pins 53 are electricallyconnected to the components 51 or to the terminal pins 22 by means ofwires 56. If desired, the plug-in device 16 may partially or entirelycomprise a connector plug, thereby utilizing one or more of the pinreceptacles 24 as external connections, and eliminating the need for theexternal connector pins 53.

Now referring to Figures 7 and 8, a tightener tool 61 is shown in itstemporary position of engagement with the tightening ring 41. Thetightener tool 61 preferably has a cylindrical shape with an innerdiameter sufiiciently large so that the tool may be temporarily insertedover and around the plug-in device 16. Inwardly projecting tongues 62are provided at an end of the tightener tool -61-and are so positionedand of such size and shape so as to fit into and engage the notches 46in the tightening ring 41 whenthe tightener tool is utilized to turn andtighten the tightening ring 41. Alternatively, the tight ening ring -41may be provided with tongues extending radially or upwardly therefrom,and the tightener tool 61 may be provided with notches to engage thesetongues. The tongues and notches may be referred to generically asengagement members.

To insert and secure the plug-in device 16 in the receptacle 12, thedevice 16 is placed so that the connector pins 28 thereof enter throughthe respective openings 37 .in the compression disc 36 and enter intothe openings 27 .of the respective .pin receptacles 24. In thisposition, the jaws 32 of the pin receptacles 24 preferably willresiliently engage against the respective connector pins 28. Thetightening ring 41 is then turned, either by hand or by means of thetightener tool 61, so that it is screwed downwardly and the collar 42thereof bears against the compression disc 36, forcing the compressiondisc downwardly against the beveled portions 34 of the pin re ceptacles24, thereby urging the jaws 32 of the pin receptacles inwardly againstthe respective connector pins :28. The support disc 25 functions tosupport the pin receptacles 24 at the bottom ends thereof, therebyavoid- 'ing undue strain of the bushings 23. The connector pins 28 ofthe plug-in device 16 are now tightly gripped, electrically andmechanically, by the pin receptacles 24, and at the same time theplug-in device 16 and the electrical components 51 within the housing11, are hermetically sealed.

It has been found that even it the pin receptacles 24,

or the bevels 34 thereon, are not accurately machined or aligned, thejaws 32 of a sufiicient number of them will be caused to compressagainst the connector pins 28 so as to achieve secure attachment of theplug-in device .16 in the receptacle 12. For the best electrical andmechanical results, the pin receptacles 24 should be of uniform size andshape, whereupon the support disc 25 will insure accurate levelingthereof, and all of the connector pins 28 will become tightly gripped bythe respective pin receptacles 24.

Toiremove the plug-in device 16, the tightening ring 41 is turned,either byv hand or by means of the tightener tool 61,50 that it isscrewed upwardly and the pressure on the compression disc 36 isrelieved, whereupon the plug-in device 16 may be pulled out of thereceptacle 12.

The plug-in device 16 may comprise a connector plug having wires orcables extending therefrom, in which case the tightener tool 61 may beprovided with .a longitudinal slit 66, or may be of semi-cylindricalshape, in order to slip .over and around the cables. The tool61 isparticularly useful in tighfplaces.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, various modifications thereof will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, which modifications are included wtihin the scope ofinvention. The true scope of the invention is defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

v1. A hermetically sealed receptacle comprising a sub stantially fiatbase plate having a .plurality of openings therethrough, a plurality ofterminal pins positioned substantially perpendicular tosaid base plateand respectively extending through said openings and hermetically sealedto said base plate, a'plurality of elongated pin receptacles eachcomprising an elongated member having a shoulder at one end and aplurality of jaws at the other end thereof, said jaws having a beveledsurface at said other end, said pin receptacles being substantiallyperpendicular to said base plate and respectively attached to saidterminal pins on one side of said base plate with said shoulders fixedlyspaced from said base plate and said other ends being relatively fartheraway from said base plate, an outside-threaded annular ring attached atan end thereof to said one side of said base plate and encircling saidterminal pins, a support disc positioned within said annular threadedring between and in engagement with said base plate and said shouldersand containing a plurality of openings through which said terminal pinsextend, a circular compression plate positioned over the beveledsurfaces of said jaws substantially parallel to said base plate andcontaining a plurality of beveled openings therethrough respectivelypositioned in engagement with the beveled surfaces of said jaws, and aninside-threaded annular tightening ring positioned in threadedengagement with said outside-threaded annular ring and encircling saidcompression plate and having an inwardly extending annular shoulder inengagement with a surface of said compression plate.

2. A receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which said compression plateis provided with an annular recessed shoulder at the outer extremity ofthe surface thereof farthest from said base plate, said inwardlyextending shoulder of said tightening ring being in engagement with saidrecessed shoulder.

3. A receptacle comprising a substantially flat base plate having aplurality of openings therethrough, a plurality of terminal pinspositioned substantially perpendicular to said base plate andrespectively extending through said openings, a plurality of elongatedpin receptacles each comprising an elongated member having a pluralityof jaws at an end thereof, said jaws having a beveled surface at saidend of said elongated member, said pin receptacles being substantiallyperpendicular to said base plate and respectively attached to saidterminal pins on one side of said base plate with said beveled surfacesbeing relatively farthest away from said base plate, an outside-threadedannular ring attached at an end thereof to said one side of said baseplate and encircling said terminal pins, a circular compression platepositioned over the beveled surfaces of said jaws substantially parallelto said base plate and containing a plurality of beveled openingstherethrough respectively positioned in engagement with the beveledsurfaces of said jaws, and an inside-threaded annular tightening ringpositioned in threaded engagement with said outside-threaded annularring and encircling said compression plate and having an inwardlyextending annular shoulder in engagement with a surface of saidcompression plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,697,503 Hollwitz Jan. 1, 1929 2,126,674 Stout Aug. 9, 1938 2,235,135Ernst Mar. 18, 1941 2,274,354 Beggs Feb. 24, 1942 2,294,738 Bruno Sept.1, 1942 2,444,048 Keller June 29, 1948 2,563,712 Frei Aug. 7, 19512,581,500 Schoonmaker Jan. 8, 1952 2,635,131 Greatbatch Apr. 14, 19532,652,547 Rathborne Sept. 15, 1953 2,658,183 Klostermann Nov. 3, 1953

